44DA or DB

JPGator

Active Member
Apr 25, 2019
495
Treasure Coast
Boat Info
2008 Sundancer 40
Engines
Cummins QSB 5.9 425HO
Long story short we are upgrading from an ‘07 340. I’ve been looking almost exclusively at similar year 44’s and only recently started looking at Sedan Bridges. For those who were faced with a similar decision what swayed you either way?
 
Love the view, plenty of seating to bring everyone upstairs, 2- full heads w/ standup showers, etc.

I have no issues docking and putting her in the slip alone.

You do lose the cockpit area in the rear.

Bennett
 
Long story short we are upgrading from an ‘07 340. I’ve been looking almost exclusively at similar year 44’s and only recently started looking at Sedan Bridges. For those who were faced with a similar decision what swayed you either way?
We moved from a 320 DA to a 42 DB last year. We had a 42 DA under contract that fell through. This was the best thing that could have happened to us. For our family the DB is way more livable than the DA. My wife's biggest concern was more of a sway motion being up on the bridge. Not the case at all. Performance wise i think you can't go wrong between the 2 though you will run a bit faster with less fuel consumption on the DA. May have stated before and it holds true. Its all about how you will use the boat. We now spend almost every weekend aboard in the summer even if we don't leave our slip. Feature-wise the big difference between the two is amenities like washer dryer combo, 2 full shower/head (The DA splits the master shower and the head). You also get a bit more space in the forward master. Sitting in the salon on the 44 you get a nice almost 360 deg view of your surroundings. The one big difference as far as entertaining on the two is the cockpit on the DA just can't be beat. For us though we like that we have different entertaining spaces since we often have kids,parents and their friends aboard. Its nice that the kids could be on the bridge or the cockpit and we have a separation of space. All in all we treat it as our summer home and the mini-condo vibe of the DB fits us very well.
 
For us it was all about space. The DB was much more spacious inside for a family of 4. Also the wife hated the dungeon/kitchen. Now she can see the water and feel like she is part of the party even if she is prepping in the kitchen.
 
We went from the 06 340 to an 06 44DA. It is only the two of us. All the comments above are spot on. However, we do not feel the dungeon comment but understand what is meant. Decide whats important to you and ask more questions for clarity if you're not sure what is meant..
 
We went from the 06 340 to an 06 44DA. It is only the two of us. All the comments above are spot on. However, we do not feel the dungeon comment but understand what is meant. Decide whats important to you and ask more questions for clarity if you're not sure what is meant..

From the boats we’ve looked at the 44DA has a TON more natural light than the 34. That is certainly a plus for the DA’s bit I also see the points of the DB.
 
We went DB primarily to get away from the below deck cabin concept. Love the natural light the ‘Cruiser’ cabin design offers. There is no denying that the DAs especially with hard tops look way sexier though!
Carpe Diem
 
I went from a 330DA to the 550DB so I can't comment on additional room, it just wouldn't be fair.

We do like being up where we have good visibility all around, lots more entertaining area and it seems everyone wants to be up top when we're cruising. In the cockpit, when we're cruising you only have a view aft. I don't think we'd ever go back to an express cruiser.
 
A consideration for me was the stairs. I have family (including my wife) that can’t climb stairs because of a disability. That effectively ruled out any bridge boats. It’s also why I live in a ranch-style house.

It doesn’t seem like it’s the case for you, but you may want to consider if climbing the stairs will be a problem for you or your crew in the expected time you’ll own the boat.
 
We entertain quite a bit so the single level is appealing because it’s a larger space of what we have now. At the same time having the upper deck is attractive for the view but I would miss the additional seating downstairs for all the kids.
 
They made both for this reason... you get to pick your preference. That meets your taste and likes.... both are great boats......Good luck!
 
Another plus for the DB is it is a great boat when the weather is not the best. I still look forward to being on the boat on rainy days because we hang out in the salon and play cards, watch a movie or maybe sneak up to the bridge for nap. When in the salon you have 360 views around so you still feel like you are on the water.
 
We entertain quite a bit so the single level is appealing because it’s a larger space of what we have now. At the same time having the upper deck is attractive for the view but I would miss the additional seating downstairs for all the kids.


We went from a 40 DA then sold it to buy a 48 DA but ended up buying a 47DB which we sold after two years for a 48 DA.

I am by no means against the bridge boats and the 47DB is a really neat boat. Would highly suggest this over a 42/44 if you can swing it. For my wife and I (its just the two of us) the large open cockpit was what we really missed in the bridge boat layout. Both layouts have great features and it depends how you choose to use the boat.

Another plus..since isinglass is my nemesis it was great to get to the full glass cockpit of the 48.

You won't go wrong with either really depends on your preference. Get on a bunch of boats and see what fits your needs the best
 
Just for giggles we looked at some of the newer DA’s. Definitely out of the price range but the 45’s as an example changed the interior configuration. Less staterooms and bathrooms. Defeats the purpose. Add in the PODS or I/O and the hefty price it’s above my pay grade. And I still like the look of the older models better. Nothing beats an ‘06 48 with the teal floor and swivel helm chairs but the same year 44’s are pretty darn close. I’m also partial to that beige color. Subtle but still.
 
Another reason for us was the third stateroom. It is only the wife, a little 10lb dog and myself, but we have our friends and family out for weekend trips and we still have someone on the salon couch for most of those trips. To get a third stateroom in the DA line, it looks like a 60DA is the option but out of my price range.
 
It's all how you use it. I've often thought about moving to a bridge boat just for the interior space. We have several friends with them and enjoy our time on them. But in the end we personally spend very little time below and have a well appointed covered dock so any in-slip time is spent there. Our boat is one of the favorites to take to dinner with the dock crowd because everyone, including myself, sit together and really feel like you're down on the water.

You don't mention your location but I think that would have a lot of influence on your decision as well. Does weather make it more necessary to be inside a good deal of the time? Do you do a lot of cooking on board? Do you spend many days completely on board? If so a DB is a no-brainer?

Do you spend a lot of time backed into a beach and just occasionally go below to get out of the heat and sun? Do you just spend a couple of days on board on weekends? Then then DA's do a great job.

And finally, what's your passion? Which one makes your heart jump more? Back in 2003 I saw my first 420DA come into our marina and was blown away with its lines. When I'm floating in the water watching my boat at anchor I still feel the same way.
 

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